Steroids in Womb Linked with Lower Death Rate in Preemies (BMJ)

Higher rate of survival without major morbidities, study finds

Premature infants who were exposed to any antenatal corticosteroids had a significantly lower rate of death than their unexposed counterparts, researchers found.

Writing in the BMJ, the authors examined preterm infants ages 23 to 34 weeks gestation. Overall, infants whose mothers were given antenatal corticosteroids had a lower rate of death before discharge at 29 weeks gestation or less, 31 weeks and 33-34 weeks gestation. The youngest of these infants also had a higher rate of survival without major morbidities. Rates of serious neonatal complications, such as severe intracranial hemorrhage or death, necrotizing enterocolitis stage 2 above or death and retinopathy of prematurity or death were lower for infants exposed to corticosteroids at less than 30 weeks gestation.

The authors concluded that while exposure to antenatal corticosteroids was associated with lower mortality and morbidity, the greatest effects were seen among infants born at the lowest gestations.